[Chronic urticaria: which evaluation? Which management?].
Chronic urticaria (CU) is an inflammatory skin disease characterized by the recurrence of transient and itching maculopapular skin lesions for more than 6 weeks. Clinical diagnosis is easy but eliciting factors are rarely evidenced. Recently, autoimmune mechanisms have been recognized as a cause of CU. Carefully history and physical examination are the most important elements of the etiological diagnosis. Exhausted tests are expensive and their cost-effectiveness is low. In the vast majority of cases this disease is benign but the quality of life can be severely affected. Second generation non-sedating antihistamines are the cornerstone of the treatment.
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Service de Dermatologie et Clinique d'Immuno-Allergologie, C.H.U. Brugmann, Bruxelles. said.tas@chu-brugmann.be
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000799:Angioedema / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D002908:Chronic Disease; D005260:Female; D006633:Histamine Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists / Q000627:therapeutic use; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D006967:Hypersensitivity / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D012882:Skin Tests; D014581:Urticaria / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology
D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D006633:Histamine Antagonists; D006634:Histamine H1 Antagonists; D039563:Histamine H1 Antagonists, Non-Sedating